Ground work has started on the former Bowyers site in Trowbridge in preparation for a new £46m leisure park being built.

This morning, contractors were seen removing dead trees and bushes at the site, known as Innox Riverside, which will home an eight-screen Cineworld, a Morrisons store, six restaurants and a pub when it is complete.

Developer Prorsus said that an asbestos survey still needs to be carried out before the former factory’s buildings are knocked down, with hoardings expected to go up later this week.

Wiltshire Council rejected Prorsus’ plans for the Bowyers site in 2012 with the developer appealing against the decision.

In January, following a three-day hearing, the Planning Inspectorate approved the scheme.

Prorsus has not yet revealed the date Innox Riverside is expected to open.

As I have said before, it is always good that developers have the faith to invest money in Trowbridge. It will interesting to see what is finally built. It will be even more interesting as to whether competition for consumers will be such that developers net a decent return on their cash. Remember the customer is king.

I have now heard that a developer has outbid Wiltshire Council for the Peter Black site. I wonder what will go up on there?. More developers chasing the consumer for his dollar. The recession must be over.

As I have said before, it is always good that developers have the faith to invest money in Trowbridge. It will interesting to see what is finally built. It will be even more interesting as to whether competition for consumers will be such that developers net a decent return on their cash. Remember the customer is king.
I have now heard that a developer has outbid Wiltshire Council for the Peter Black site. I wonder what will go up on there?. More developers chasing the consumer for his dollar. The recession must be over.brandx

I think this will take off as it is right by the Train station which will mean that people who want to will visit the Cineworld complex more than the Odeon as it being placed there will be easier to get too and it will also bring jobs to Trowbridge as well ,

I think this will take off as it is right by the Train station which will mean that people who want to will visit the Cineworld complex more than the Odeon as it being placed there will be easier to get too and it will also bring jobs to Trowbridge as well ,trowbridge52

Terry Chivers wrote:
Will be interesting to see if this work will include a cinema

Terry,

Do you think the developer would of spent hundreds of thousands of pounds modifying plans, going through the appeal process, postponing the Morrisons development by 18months only to not build it? That would be ludicrous!

Also Cineworld state on their website that Trowbridge is coming soon. It was also mentioned in their annual report recently.

I’m absolutely delighted that work is now starting, another eyesore off the map – Just need the former Peter Blacks site to be done now.

[quote][p][bold]Terry Chivers[/bold] wrote:
Will be interesting to see if this work will include a cinema[/p][/quote]Terry,
Do you think the developer would of spent hundreds of thousands of pounds modifying plans, going through the appeal process, postponing the Morrisons development by 18months only to not build it? That would be ludicrous!
Also Cineworld state on their website that Trowbridge is coming soon. It was also mentioned in their annual report recently.
I’m absolutely delighted that work is now starting, another eyesore off the map – Just need the former Peter Blacks site to be done now.D@ve

Why are Wiltshire Council "bidding for" ANY Sites if they do not have enough money to pay for Services that tax payers have contributed to ?

Wiltshire may needs new development but what it does not need is for tax payers money and Government Funding to be spent via political decisions instead of Democratically and based on needs and supply of Services..

Why are Wiltshire Council "bidding for" ANY Sites if they do not have enough money to pay for Services that tax payers have contributed to ?
Wiltshire may needs new development but what it does not need is for tax payers money and Government Funding to be spent via political decisions instead of Democratically and based on needs and supply of Services..brasstacks

I don't know why people keep saying about the train station help being a draw for the cinema. The only people that will benefit from this will be people from Bradford on Avon, Westbury or Warminster. Unless Cineworld and Prorsus are going to invest in train services from the likes of Devizes and Melksham - so that is not going to happen - also with the cost of rail travel it will add to the night out for those people in Bradford etc so that wont happen much either.

I know it is great to see this investment in the town and much needed but I would rather have seen a bowling complex or something like that so that people had choice of activity rather than choice of cinema.

Still great to see another eye sore being removed from Trowbridge (and hopefully they will be sorting out the road issues round there as well) and maybe Peter Black development site wll follow soon..............

I don't know why people keep saying about the train station help being a draw for the cinema. The only people that will benefit from this will be people from Bradford on Avon, Westbury or Warminster. Unless Cineworld and Prorsus are going to invest in train services from the likes of Devizes and Melksham - so that is not going to happen - also with the cost of rail travel it will add to the night out for those people in Bradford etc so that wont happen much either.
I know it is great to see this investment in the town and much needed but I would rather have seen a bowling complex or something like that so that people had choice of activity rather than choice of cinema.
Still great to see another eye sore being removed from Trowbridge (and hopefully they will be sorting out the road issues round there as well) and maybe Peter Black development site wll follow soon..............WiltsCanary1972

WiltsCanary1972 wrote:
I don't know why people keep saying about the train station help being a draw for the cinema. The only people that will benefit from this will be people from Bradford on Avon, Westbury or Warminster. Unless Cineworld and Prorsus are going to invest in train services from the likes of Devizes and Melksham - so that is not going to happen - also with the cost of rail travel it will add to the night out for those people in Bradford etc so that wont happen much either.

I know it is great to see this investment in the town and much needed but I would rather have seen a bowling complex or something like that so that people had choice of activity rather than choice of cinema.

Still great to see another eye sore being removed from Trowbridge (and hopefully they will be sorting out the road issues round there as well) and maybe Peter Black development site wll follow soon..............

Ten pin bowling complexes will NOT come unless there is a Cinema to back it up. You never know, now there is a cinema going there, they may build it. As the quote from the film says 'if you build it, they will come'. And seeing as there is only the Odeon in Bath (that is more expensive than the Trowbridge one) what with parking charges, it may be cheaper for them to come here on the train! It annoys me the negativity that happens whenever someone tries to do something positive for the town! At last! Something to get behind and enjoy once its all up and running. Surely it has to be better than what is there at the moment?!

[quote][p][bold]WiltsCanary1972[/bold] wrote:
I don't know why people keep saying about the train station help being a draw for the cinema. The only people that will benefit from this will be people from Bradford on Avon, Westbury or Warminster. Unless Cineworld and Prorsus are going to invest in train services from the likes of Devizes and Melksham - so that is not going to happen - also with the cost of rail travel it will add to the night out for those people in Bradford etc so that wont happen much either.
I know it is great to see this investment in the town and much needed but I would rather have seen a bowling complex or something like that so that people had choice of activity rather than choice of cinema.
Still great to see another eye sore being removed from Trowbridge (and hopefully they will be sorting out the road issues round there as well) and maybe Peter Black development site wll follow soon..............[/p][/quote]Ten pin bowling complexes will NOT come unless there is a Cinema to back it up. You never know, now there is a cinema going there, they may build it. As the quote from the film says 'if you build it, they will come'. And seeing as there is only the Odeon in Bath (that is more expensive than the Trowbridge one) what with parking charges, it may be cheaper for them to come here on the train! It annoys me the negativity that happens whenever someone tries to do something positive for the town! At last! Something to get behind and enjoy once its all up and running. Surely it has to be better than what is there at the moment?!dontchopsuey

I was not being negative just don't see how having the train station so close will make any difference to the cinema. Also PERSONALLY feel that a ten pin bowling alley (for example) would give people more option for a night out rather than having TWO cinemas!!!!

If I was being negative I would have asked what is the need for SIX more restaurant units when we have empty units in Trowbridge already.

Maybe the solution would be to have the cinema and a bowling alley on the same site - it should be big enough!!!!!!!!!

The one thing I do know is that it is great to see this investment in Trowbridge as I pointed out in my NOT negative post!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was not being negative just don't see how having the train station so close will make any difference to the cinema. Also PERSONALLY feel that a ten pin bowling alley (for example) would give people more option for a night out rather than having TWO cinemas!!!!
If I was being negative I would have asked what is the need for SIX more restaurant units when we have empty units in Trowbridge already.
Maybe the solution would be to have the cinema and a bowling alley on the same site - it should be big enough!!!!!!!!!
The one thing I do know is that it is great to see this investment in Trowbridge as I pointed out in my NOT negative post!!!!!!!!!!!!WiltsCanary1972

This is just what Trowbridge needs. Bring the surrounding people from other towns here instead of going to Bath or Bristol to watch films. As for the Peter Black site i cant wait to see what that brings.

This is just what Trowbridge needs. Bring the surrounding people from other towns here instead of going to Bath or Bristol to watch films. As for the Peter Black site i cant wait to see what that brings.Hilperton Man

In reply to WiltsCanary1972-the plans of 2012 were submitted at the appeal in january and the slight alteration which will involve a minor reapplication will be the petrol station as included on the 2nd reserve application.
You just cannot redesign and resubmit the whole development to include a bowling alley or ice rink for that matter, such buildings even incorporating a 12 lane (which is the usual minimum for profitability purposes) are quite voluminous in length and width and as Dontchopsuey said, a ten pin bowling operator will not go into a development without a cinema as the anchor.
I suggest you look at the plans and you will see how inpossible it would be to site it anywhere on the plans without cutting down on the essential 550 car parking spaces.
And your other comment about being by the railway station is naive to say the least.
Yes those places you mentioned will benefit and not only that but Frome, Chippenham, Bruton, Pewsey and as far south as Salisbury.
I state the last places because since going to the Odeon i have stood in the foyer many times especially on a bargain tuesday and have heard people say thay have come by train from thoseplaces.
Not only that, I have overheard people say they have come by car from Shepton Mallet , Midsommer Norton and outlying villages and used the 49 bus to come from Devizes. So you are way off on this one to assume that a Cineworld wont be accessed by railusers.
You do of course realize that since December, 11 trains now go back and forth to Swindon and is now a very popular service cutting out the rigmarole of going via Bath.This service is guaranteed til the end of 2016.
When the development opens in late 2015/early 2016 you will then see the reciprocal benefits the station and Innox Riverside will bring.
It will certainly be interesting to see who has purchased the Peter black site. If its not going to be a car park and the Court St car park is developed on as part of the Trowbridge local plan, then the proposed campus/sports hub destined for the area that encompasses the old Wilts County archive building to the old library building is going to be in severe difficulties with car parking for the area.

In reply to WiltsCanary1972-the plans of 2012 were submitted at the appeal in january and the slight alteration which will involve a minor reapplication will be the petrol station as included on the 2nd reserve application.
You just cannot redesign and resubmit the whole development to include a bowling alley or ice rink for that matter, such buildings even incorporating a 12 lane (which is the usual minimum for profitability purposes) are quite voluminous in length and width and as Dontchopsuey said, a ten pin bowling operator will not go into a development without a cinema as the anchor.
I suggest you look at the plans and you will see how inpossible it would be to site it anywhere on the plans without cutting down on the essential 550 car parking spaces.
And your other comment about being by the railway station is naive to say the least.
Yes those places you mentioned will benefit and not only that but Frome, Chippenham, Bruton, Pewsey and as far south as Salisbury.
I state the last places because since going to the Odeon i have stood in the foyer many times especially on a bargain tuesday and have heard people say thay have come by train from thoseplaces.
Not only that, I have overheard people say they have come by car from Shepton Mallet , Midsommer Norton and outlying villages and used the 49 bus to come from Devizes. So you are way off on this one to assume that a Cineworld wont be accessed by railusers.
You do of course realize that since December, 11 trains now go back and forth to Swindon and is now a very popular service cutting out the rigmarole of going via Bath.This service is guaranteed til the end of 2016.
When the development opens in late 2015/early 2016 you will then see the reciprocal benefits the station and Innox Riverside will bring.
It will certainly be interesting to see who has purchased the Peter black site. If its not going to be a car park and the Court St car park is developed on as part of the Trowbridge local plan, then the proposed campus/sports hub destined for the area that encompasses the old Wilts County archive building to the old library building is going to be in severe difficulties with car parking for the area.AMVanquish007

Fair enough Vanquish I accept your comments and stand corrected as far as the train station is concerned and also people coming from other areas - that is really good to hear and is so positive for the town.

I fully understand the planning process and know that you cannot just change it at will, that was not the point I was trying to make. My point was that personally I would rather have seen a bowling alley but I do understand what you are saying in respect to these companies wanting a cinema in place to work as an achor. Like with the buses Trowbridge has waited for over two decades for a cinema and then two come along so quickly.

My two concerns are whether Trowbridge can accomodate two cinemas and whether the new site will be able to fill in the 5 food outlets when the St Stephens Place site still has at least one empty outlet.

Please believe me I am delighted to see all this work happening to improve Trowbridge - long may it continue. Ten pin bowling anyone?!!!

Fair enough Vanquish I accept your comments and stand corrected as far as the train station is concerned and also people coming from other areas - that is really good to hear and is so positive for the town.
I fully understand the planning process and know that you cannot just change it at will, that was not the point I was trying to make. My point was that personally I would rather have seen a bowling alley but I do understand what you are saying in respect to these companies wanting a cinema in place to work as an achor. Like with the buses Trowbridge has waited for over two decades for a cinema and then two come along so quickly.
My two concerns are whether Trowbridge can accomodate two cinemas and whether the new site will be able to fill in the 5 food outlets when the St Stephens Place site still has at least one empty outlet.
Please believe me I am delighted to see all this work happening to improve Trowbridge - long may it continue. Ten pin bowling anyone?!!!WiltsCanary1972

It is simply because we are the county town and slap bang in the middle of a huge catchment-thats the reason why Trowbridge was chosen by the operators over and above other local towns.
You must think catchment and not Trowbridge in this respect-a cinema operator builds a cinema to cover a 20/25 minute drive time and not just the town it sites in. The catchment here is between 300000-500000. more than enough to cater for 2 multiplexes.It is desperately underscreened and you will find that some films advertised on TV just will not play in the Odeon due to lack of screen space and due to the success of the high profile films playing there with big budgets.
In fact what should have been built here was one multiplex of between 12-14 screens. But thats not the case here.
Also -trust me-the outlets will be fully occupied and the site will open with everything on it and filled unlike SSP
Keep an eye on the Innox riverside website from april onwards and the info will come thick and fast

It is simply because we are the county town and slap bang in the middle of a huge catchment-thats the reason why Trowbridge was chosen by the operators over and above other local towns.
You must think catchment and not Trowbridge in this respect-a cinema operator builds a cinema to cover a 20/25 minute drive time and not just the town it sites in. The catchment here is between 300000-500000. more than enough to cater for 2 multiplexes.It is desperately underscreened and you will find that some films advertised on TV just will not play in the Odeon due to lack of screen space and due to the success of the high profile films playing there with big budgets.
In fact what should have been built here was one multiplex of between 12-14 screens. But thats not the case here.
Also -trust me-the outlets will be fully occupied and the site will open with everything on it and filled unlike SSP
Keep an eye on the Innox riverside website from april onwards and the info will come thick and fastAMVanquish007

mark my words, and revisit these comments in 5 years from now: one of the complexes will go bust.. which one is anybody's guess, but here's the tragedy: Trowbridge will end up with another derelict Tesco/Peter Black type site.. and so the cycle of boom and bust continues.. when will they learn?

mark my words, and revisit these comments in 5 years from now: one of the complexes will go bust.. which one is anybody's guess, but here's the tragedy: Trowbridge will end up with another derelict Tesco/Peter Black type site.. and so the cycle of boom and bust continues.. when will they learn?eureka+

Actually Eureka - it is you who will be eating your words. Hard as it maybe for you to understand - this area is under screened and it would be highly probable that if one of the cinema chains pulled out, the other would purchase or lease the screens to add to the portfolio.
There are many places where two rival cinema chains are in competition and in areas the size of where we are in Wiltshire. Don't forget these are the 2 largest cinema chains in the UK and they haven't shut any new multiplex since 1996. They will both fight for market share and they won't shut- its as simple as that .

Actually Eureka - it is you who will be eating your words. Hard as it maybe for you to understand - this area is under screened and it would be highly probable that if one of the cinema chains pulled out, the other would purchase or lease the screens to add to the portfolio.
There are many places where two rival cinema chains are in competition and in areas the size of where we are in Wiltshire. Don't forget these are the 2 largest cinema chains in the UK and they haven't shut any new multiplex since 1996. They will both fight for market share and they won't shut- its as simple as that .AMVanquish007